Check before you leave the house on Monday

Three consecutive days this week, Jim and I had lunch or dinner in several local restaurants. And all three times, we were surrounded by crying or screaming children. And at only one of them, did the parents leave with the child before they were seated after trying several modes of discipline to quiet the child. More than once, as our children were growing up, either Jim or I took them outside and had a talk with them or sat in the van while the rest finished their meal. It rarely took more than one time to be taken out for them to learn better behavior in public.

Don't get me wrong. I love children, but I love children who behave in public even better. Just curious if crying, screaming and misbehaving children bother anyone else when eating out?

What a disappointment to hear that Olympian Oscar Pistorius is a prime suspect in the murder of his girlfriend. I had great admiration for Pistorius as I watched the Olympics and saw all that he had overcome to be able to race.

Top news this past week has been the disabled Carnival cruise ship Triumph, which had experienced an engine fire. I know passengers had to be discouraged and the ship wasn't as pristine as its usual condition, but they all arrived in Mobile safely and hopefully will look back on this as "an experience of a lifetime." Jim and I have sailed Carnival at least 12 to 14 times and have no problem in sailing one of their ships again. We always found the crew to be friendly and accommodating. I'm sure they were as frustrated as some passengers.

Monday is another opportunity for a three-day weekend for many with the observance of President's Day.

So, as you start out the door to run errands to the bank, post office, city or county offices, don't be disappointed when you find them closed for the day.

Let me leave you with this quotation by the Presidents whose birthdays we celebrate on Monday: "Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bed company," by George Washington; and "We can complain that rose bushes have thorns, or we can rejoice that thorn bushes have roses," by Abraham Lincoln.

Until next week.

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Check before you leave the house on Monday

Three consecutive days this week, Jim and I had lunch or dinner in several local restaurants. And all three times, we were surrounded by crying or screaming children.